Scottish Parliament

Written Answers

Wednesday 22 September 1999

Scottish Executive

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number of referrals to the gulf veterans’ medical assessment programme (MAP) since MAP was established and whether it will provide details of any research into gulf war syndrome which it currently sponsors.

Susan Deacon: The responsibility for gulf veterans rests with the Ministry of Defence. The issues raised are therefore reserved to the UK Parliament.

Poverty

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, further to the publication of the UK anti-poverty strategy by Her Majesty’s Government, it will make a statement on its strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Wide ranging action is necessary to tackle poverty and social exclusion. Responsibilities for some matters are reserved, and some are devolved. Effective, integrated action therefore requires a close working partnership between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government. The UK strategy Opportunity for All – Tackling Poverty and Social Inclusion that was published yesterday is the first report on the action that is being taken across the UK. It makes it clear however that devolved administrations will develop their own policies in devolved areas to reflect their countries' particular circumstances and the needs and wishes of their people.

  The Scottish Executive will work in partnership with all interested parties to build on policy developments in the UK. In consultation with the Scottish Social Inclusion Network, the Scottish Executive will set out its plans for integrated action in devolved areas over the next few months.

Rural Affairs

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce legislation to ban fox-hunting with dogs in Scotland before, or subsequent to, the introduction of similar legislation for England and Wales by Her Majesty’s Government.

Mr Jim Wallace: We have no plans to introduce legislation to ban fox-hunting with dogs.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Commemorative Medallions

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body was made aware that the medallion to commemorate the opening of the Scottish Parliament was associated with an English coat of arms and whether steps will be taken to ensure that a similar association does not arise in future.

Sir David Steel: The Royal Mint manufactured and supplied the medallions which displayed the appropriate Scottish coat of arms. The lining of all Royal Mint presentation cases contain the Royal Mint’s crest, which is their corporate insignia.

Staff Conditions

Mr Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Presiding Officer what form of consultation the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has undertaken to date to ascertain the views of the staff of the Parliament regarding curtailing the recess, extending plenary sessions and increasing working hours, and what its estimate is of the additional associated staff costs as a result of these measures.

Sir David Steel: Once the Procedures Committee has produced recommendations on the balance between meetings of the Parliament and meetings of Committees, and the time available for Parliamentary proceedings, an estimate will be made of any cost implications, to help inform any decision of the Parliament. Staff will be consulted on any proposals that might have a direct impact on their terms and conditions.